WHAS11 News will be providing live updates from inside the courtroom on Thursday. This story will be frequently updated.
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Live updates
2:03 p.m.
Ted Lavit spoke to media after the hearing.
He said this is the first time Joseph and Steve Lawson have seen each other since being arrested. He said the father and son said "sorry" to each other in passing.
1:58 p.m.
Simms said he will have a decision on the bond reduction by the end of day Monday.
1:53 p.m.
The prosecution objects to reduced bond due to the nature of Joseph Lawson's alleged crimes. An attorney points out his numerous prior felony convictions.
"The reason he is in prison today is because he could not follow the guidance of the courts," the attorney argued. "No reason to believe he could follow the rules today."
1:49 p.m.
Lawson's bond is currently set at $500,000. His attorney, Kevin Coleman, is looking to have the bond reduced to $50,000.
He's also asking for Lawson to be put on home incarceration. Previously, Simms approved a bond reduction for Steve Lawson.
Coleman said Joseph is paraplegic which lessens his ability to be a flight risk and a danger to others.
1:47 p.m.
Steven Lawson and Brooks Houck have been taken from the courtroom. The judge is now focusing on Joseph Lawson's bond reduction hearing.
1:46 p.m.
Young is looking to have all three men tried together, and all three defense attorneys agreed to the Feb. 10 trial date, but Houck's attorney believes there will be an objection to that eventually.
1:45 p.m.
Simms sets a trial date on Feb. 10, 2025 at 9 a.m.
Another status hearing will take place on March 21, 2024 at 1 p.m.
1:43 p.m.
Young and the suspects attorneys believe a trial could begin in mid-February 2025 based on the complexity of the nature of the case itself.
But the defense said that's subject to them going through the discovery, which includes evidence in the Jason Ellis and Tommy Ballard case.
1:42 p.m.
Young said over 1.1 terabytes of discovery has been turned over from three different agencies. He expects that to be completed on March 15.
Prosecution believes there is less than a terabyte to review.
1:39 p.m.
Brooks Houck has entered the courtroom.
1:38 p.m.
Joseph and Steven Lawson have entered the courtroom.
1:31 p.m.
Steve Lawson's attorney, Ted Lavit, and Brooks Houck's attorney, Brian Butler, have entered the courtroom and have sat down with a team of attorneys.
1:30 p.m.
A deputy motioned to Joseph Lawson's attorneys. It appears Lawson has arrived at the courthouse. Both attorneys have now gone upstairs.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young has entered the courtroom.
1:18 p.m.
Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa told WHAS11 the holdup on the proceedings is because one of the suspects hasn't arrived at the courthouse yet.
Pineiroa did confirm all three suspects will physically be in the courtroom.
Judge Simms is currently having a private meeting with Brooks Houck and Steve Lawson's attorneys.
1:14 p.m.
Nelson County Judge Charles Simms has yet to enter the courtroom. The hearings were scheduled to begin 15 minutes earlier.
1:06 p.m.
Joseph Lawson's attorney, Kevin Coleman, has entered the courtroom. It's still unclear if Joseph's hearing will be the first of the day.
Attorney Ted Lavit, who represents Steve Lawson, briefly appeared in the courtroom minutes earlier, but deputies directed him to a meeting room upstairs.
12:38 p.m.
The courtroom is packed with community and media.
12:32 p.m.
Courtroom doors have opened for the family.
12:30 p.m.
Attorneys for all three suspects have been seen entering Nelson County District Court A. The courtroom doors have yet to open.
12:10 p.m.
Till Ballard, Crystal’s grandfather has arrived. Community members and family are filling up the Nelson County courthouse lobby waiting to be let in. the courtroom.
Credit: WHAS11 News
Till Ballard walks inside the courtroom, an hour ahead of the hearing for Brooks Houck, Steve Lawson and Joseph Lawson. | Feb. 8, 2024
12:01 p.m.
Brooks Houck’s mother Rosemary Houck and Brook’s girlfriend Crystal Maupin have arrived at the courthouse.
11:59 a.m.
Crystal’s mother, Sherry Ballard, has arrived with family members. She told WHAS11 she’s “nervous” for court hearings today.
Lawson. | Feb. 8, 2024
11:58 a.m.
WHAS11 is in Nelson County for court hearings in the Crystal Rogers case.
Doors to the courtroom are expected to open around 12:30 p.m.